[NewsPoster]

Apple is expanding the number of countries Apple Pay will operate within, via a partnership with a credit card company. Advised as part of today's earnings call, Apple Pay will be usable in Australia and Canada for American Express customers before the end of this year, with American Express users in Spain, Singapore, and Hong Kong also expected to be able to use the payment service when it becomes available next year.

The news does mean that Apple Pay will become usable in more countries than just the United States and the United Kingdom, with Apple cutting out negotiations with the banks in each country as a workaround. Since it is limited to American Express users, it likely will not be as widespread a rollout in each market when compared to the first two, though it will bring the service to the countries quicker than a more formal launch.

Despite the credit card limitation, this could be an indication of where Apple will next be performing a more formal rollout with multiple banks. By getting American Express onboard for these regions, it could also help Apple secure agreements with banks quicker in those countries than if the service wasn't operating in these regions in any capacity, potentially bringing wider launches sooner.

[revco]

All 48 Amex card holders in Australia should be very happy with this "breakthrough".

[Charles Martin]

Actually a lot of (wealthy) people in other countries have Amex cards. It goes back to when the company specialized in traveler's needs, and so if you're of a certain income level and age you are likely to have one.

[revco]

I'm pretty sure Amex are thinking they're on a good thing here. Unfortunately, their transaction fees are higher than Visa or M/Card and very few retailers accept their cards. We've had tap-to-pay with our CCs here for a few years in Australia and it works just fine. I don't know how ApplePay can better this experience.